LessWrong (30+ Karma) Writing advice: Why people like your quick bullshit takes better than your high-effort posts
Nov 28, 2025
The discussion kicks off with insights from a writing marathon, showcasing diverse styles and the struggle between quick posts and effortful pieces. Surprisingly, casual and controversial quick takes often overshadow meticulously researched content, capturing the internet's fleeting attention. The host highlights the importance of simplicity, low-context writing, and the power of a conversational tone. Ultimately, writers are encouraged to embrace randomness in views while also staying true to their unique voices, blending engagement with authenticity.
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Inkhaven Quick Posts Outperform Long Essays
- Inkhaven writers' quick midnight posts often hit front-page traction while their long planned essays go unread.
- The host observes this pattern happening to their own high-effort pieces as well.
Favor Short, Efficient Pieces
- Make your writing short and efficient to get more deliberate readers.
- Prioritize clarity and brevity because most people have many other things to read.
Topic Breadth Beats Depth For Reach
- Quick posts often cover quirky, broadly interesting topics while long effort posts focus on niche expertise.
- Depth can narrow audience; novelty and concreteness widen it.
